platinum
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for platinum, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A dense, precious, silvery-white metal element (symbol Pt) valued for its resistance to corrosion.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use platinum
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Spanish platina, "little silver," because the metal was originally found as an unwanted impurity in gold and seemed like an inferior form of silver.
Full origin of platinum →Frequently asked questions
What does “platinum” mean?
The word “platinum” means a dense, precious, silvery-white metal element (symbol Pt) valued for its resistance to corrosion. In plain terms, a valuable silvery metal; also used for top-tier sales awards in music, and a very pale blonde colour.
How do you pronounce “platinum”?
“Platinum” is pronounced PLAT-ihn-uhm (/ˈplæt.ɪn.əm/ in IPA).
How do you use “platinum” in a sentence?
Here is “platinum” used in a sentence: “Her wedding ring is made of platinum.”
What is another word for “platinum”?
Words with a similar meaning to “platinum” include platina and white gold.
What part of speech is “platinum”?
Depending on how it is used, “platinum” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “platinum” come from?
The word “platinum” comes from Latin. From Spanish platina, "little silver," because the metal was originally found as an unwanted impurity in gold and seemed like an inferior form of silver.
Is “platinum” a common word?
“Platinum” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “platinum” have?
“Platinum” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dense, precious, silvery-white metal element (symbol Pt) valued for its resistance to corrosion.
What is the difference between platinum and white gold?
Platinum is a naturally silvery-white precious metal element (symbol Pt) valued for its resistance to corrosion. White gold is not an element but an alloy of gold mixed with paler metals to give a similar colour. They look alike, but only platinum is silvery-white all the way through.
What colour is platinum blonde hair?
Platinum blonde is a very pale, silvery-white shade of blond hair, named after the pale silvery-grey-white colour of the metal. As an adjective, platinum can describe anything of that near-white, silvery shade.
Why is platinum considered a precious metal?
Platinum is a dense, silvery-white metal prized for its strong resistance to corrosion, which means it keeps its finish rather than tarnishing. That durability, together with its rarity, places it among the precious metals alongside gold and silver.